Godzilla 2: 10 Ways To Make Sure The Sequel Is Better Than The Original

7. Show, But Also Tell

Modern sci-fi has a tenuous relationship with exposition. Traditional sci-fi authors like H.G. Wells and Robert Heinlein pretty much spent a chapter explaining how the rules of their world work. While this works for introducing unfamiliar concepts, it grates on modern audiences - for good reason. If done poorly, exposition is boring. Worse, it could distract from an engaging story. We assume this is why the film didn't really explain much about this version of Godzilla. Presumably, audiences already know that he was awoken through nuclear testing, so that explanation could be mentioned offhand. Except in this case, leaving out Godzilla's history leaves way too many questions. Why would he help humanity after being attacked in the 50's? Has Godzilla attacked before? Is Godzilla really the embodiment of nature? Obviously, nobody wants to hear Ken Watanabe dryly explain these things for a half hour, but even a flashback to his first appearance would elucidate some elements. The flashback doesn't even have to be during his 1954 appearance; we could see Godzilla appearing before prehistoric man or the dinosaurs. Godzilla could have somehow connected with humanity during our prehistory. Maybe Godzilla even destroyed the dinosaurs to save humanity, thus establishing his role as a hero. Given that Godzilla is firmly a hero in this continuity, they should establish his role in world history.